Alcoholic beverage transportation comparison

Alcoholic beverage transportation permits are in addition to all other state permit and reporting requirements, such as vehicle licensing/IRP, fuel and mileage tax/IFTA, operating authority, and insurance. Appropriate compliance with the FMCSRs is also required.

The requirements may apply to transportation into, out of, through, or within a state. They may also apply to spirituous liquors, beer, and wine, or to only one or two types of alcoholic beverages.

Transporters of alcoholic beverages may generally deliver only to licensed wholesales or manufacturers, not to individuals or retailers. Carriers may also deliver to Liquor Commissions or Alcoholic Control Boards if so instructed.

A signed bill of lading or similar document that includes the name and address of the consignor and consignee, description of the beverage, date, place received, destination, and quantity must accompany the shipments at all times. Some states also require the bill of lading to include the intended routes of travel.

Shipments of alcoholic beverages are subject to inspection at any time by law enforcement officials or employees of Alcoholic Beverage Control Boards or Commissions. Generally, states that regulate this type of transportation require carriers to keep records of all alcoholic beverages transported for a period of at least two to three years. These records are also subject to inspection.

Failure to allow inspection of cargo or records may result in fines, suspension, revocation, or cancellation of transportation privileges. Noncompliance with any of the state requirements may result in fines and penalties as set by each individual state.

State comparison

State	Permit Requirement	Other
Alabama	No permit required. A license is required in certain instances.	Periodic reports required.
Alaska	No permit required.
Arizona	No permit required.
Arkansas	For-hire common carriers: No permit required. For-hire contract and private carriers: Transportation Permit	Surety bond required
California	Common carriers: Interstate Alcoholic Beverage Transporter's Permit. Wine and beer manufacturers: Manufacturer's Interstate Alcoholic Beverage Transporter's Permit. Transporters of alcoholic beverages considered hazmat must have Alcohol Hazardous Materials Transportation License and Cargo Tank Certificate. .	Periodic reports required. Delivery receipts required.
Colorado	No permit required. Carriers transporting alcoholic beverages that require placarding under hazmat regulations must have Hazardous Materials Permit for Alcoholic Beverages.
Connecticut	Transporter's Liquor Permit required.
Delaware	No permit required.
District Of Columbia	Holders of a D.C. Retailer's License require a Transport Permit.
Florida	No permit required.	Common carriers must file monthly report.
Georgia	No permit required.	Monthly reports required.
Hawaii	Permits required for direct wine shippers.
Idaho	No permit required.
Illinois	No Permit required.	Periodic reporting required for carriers delivering alcohol into Illinois from out of the state.
Indiana	Carrier's Alcoholic Permit required.
Iowa	No permit required.	Record keeping required.
Kansas	No permit required. Direct wine shippers are required to obtain a special license.	Periodic reports required.
Kentucky	Transporter's license required.	Surety bond and reports required if have "Non-Resident Licensee's Transport Permit."
Louisiana	No permit required. Alcoholic beverages may be imported by common carriers only, and delivered to licensed wholesale dealers.	Monthly reports required.
Maine	No permit required.
Maryland	For-hire carriers: Public Transportation Permit and Vehicle Identification Card required. Private carriers: Individual Transportation Permit and Vehicle Identification Card required.	Record keeping required.
Massachusetts	Express Transportation Permit or Alcoholic Beverages Transportation and Delivery Permit required.
Michigan	No permit required.
Minnesota	No permit required.
Mississippi	No permit required.	When transporting through dry area, vehicle must be sealed.
Missouri	Transporter's License required unless have operating authority from MoDOT Motor Carrier Services.
Montana	No permit required.	Montana is a liquor control state. All distilled spirits sold within Montana are first shipped to the state liquor warehouse.
Nebraska	No permit required.
Nevada	For-hire carriers, no permit required. Special permits required by other carriers.	Record keeping required.
New Hampshire	Carrier license required.
New Jersey	Transportation License or Limited Transportation Permit required.	Reporting required.
New Mexico	Permit required.
New York	Trucking Permit or Fleet Trucking Permit required if transporting into, out of, or within the state.	Bonds required.
North Carolina	Permit required.	Bond required. Record keeping required.
North Dakota	No permit required. Licenses may be required.
Ohio	H Permit required.	Liability insurance required. Reports required.
Oklahoma	Carrier's License required.	Reporting required.
Oregon	No permit required.
Pennsylvania	Transporter-for-Hire License required.	Record keeping required.
Rhode Island	No permit required.
South Carolina	No permit required.
South Dakota	Transportation Company License required if transporting into, out of, or within state.
Tennessee	No permit required.	Bond requirement for all carriers except interstate for-hire.
Texas	Carrier's Permit required if transporting into, out of, or within state.	Reporting required. Bond may be required for out-of-state winery direct shipper's permit.
Utah	No permit required.	Liquor control state.
Vermont	No permit required.
Virginia	Common Carrier Permit or Transportation Permit (commercial carrier) required.	Monthly reports required.
Washington	No permit required.
West Virginia	Permit required.	Monthly reports required. Bond required
Wisconsin	No permit required.
Wyoming	No permit required.

['Registration and Permits - Motor Carrier']

['Alcoholic Beverage Transportation']

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Alcoholic beverage transportation comparison

State comparison